Paint Pittston Pink’s Paint the Night Pink and Awards Presentation will be held at 7 p.m. at Pittston’s Riverfront Park. The awards presentations will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. with the lantern launch set for 7:45 p.m. Let’s meed the award winners:
Michael Burke – Survivor Award
Michael Burke is a graduate of Scranton Prep, St. Joseph’s University and is currently a second-year dean’s list student at Drexel University School of Law. Prior to attending law school, he served in the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, teaching at Philadelphia’s Cristo Rey High School for financially disadvantaged youth.
Michael battled Burkitt’s non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the age of 12 and was treated at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Since his freshman year in college, he has actively campaigned to raise awareness and money for cancer research and was the 2019 Honoree of Coaches vs. Cancer of Northeastern Pa.
Upon learning he was to receive the Paint Pittston Pink Survivor’s Award, Michael said, “I can’t thank Barbara Sciandra and the Paint Pittston Pink Committee enough for their leadership in the battle against cancer.
“To have the chance to join their celebration and fundraising efforts this year is a great honor,” he added. The wonderful families of Greater Pittston helped see me and my family through our tough times when I was sick, so I’m not surprised that Paint Pittston Pink has been so successful generating support throughout our community.”
Bob Price – Unsung Hero
Bob Price is a lifelong resident of the Greater Pittston area and currently resides in Dupont with his wife Ellen and son Jon.
He is a 1979 graduate of Wyoming Area High School and holds two degrees from Penn State in Electrical Engineering and Telecommunication Technology. He is currently a manager with Johnson Controls, Allentown.
Bob enjoys being a public servant, volunteering as president of Dupont Neighborhood Crime Watch, president of the Greater Pittston Cultural Coalition, a member of the Greater Pittston Regional Ambulance, board secretary for NEPA Inclusive (human services, life coaching for special needs adults), member of the Dupont Lions Club, committee member of Paint Pittston Pink and area photographer.
“I am honored to receive the Unsung Hero Award from Paint Pittston Pink,” he said. “I was originally asked to join Paint Pittston Pink by my neighbor and co-founder of the organization Qiana Lehman. Qiana first asked me to do pictures at the 5K run but, since I joined the committee, I have become involved in all aspects of the events.
“It is one of the most satisfying experiences of my life helping to raise money for medical research and to honor those who have lost their battle and offer hope for those currently fighting this terrible disease,” Bob added. “I hope I can do a small part to help find a cure.”
Lisa Ann Jones Kutra – Celebration of Life Award
Lisa Ann Jones Kutra,f of Roaring Brook Twp., was 48 years old when she passed away March 25, 2019, from complications of metastatic breast cancer.
Born in Avoca on Nov. 3, 1970, she was the daughter of Edward “Ned” and Mary Kay Brogan Jones and the proud mom of her two daughters, Cassie and Caroline Kutra.
Lisa graduated from Pittston Area High School, Class of 1988, and went on to receive her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, along with her principal certificate from Marywood University. At the time of her death, she was employed by Stroudsburg School district as a reading specialist/RTII coordinator in the Hamilton building.
Lisa lived life to the fullest in spite of her long journey through metastatic breast cancer
Her acceptance and courage inspired all who had the opportunity to cross paths with her.
Lisa’s proudest moment was crossing the finish line at the NYC Marathon for Ryan’s Run 6. Her goal in life was to spread awareness across the world about metastatic breast cancer, which she did until the very end.
Matthew Macaluso- Courage Award
Matthew Macaluso is a 16-year-old junior at Pittston Area High School and the son of Kevin and Charlene Macaluso, of Inkerman. He is the brother to Alex, 14, and Kayla, 9 ½ months old.
Matthew was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma on March 22, 2019 and has undergone four months of chemotherapy.
On Aug. 1, he had surgery to remove the tumor in his hipbone. He resumed treatments mid-August and will continue treatments for the next four months.
Matthew is currently undergoing physical therapy to regain his strength so he can walk independently and is hoping to return to school in January, but for now is on homebound.
Matthew’s attitude has remained strong and positive during everything he has endured. Every day, he wakes up with a smile on his face and a joke to keep us laughing. He is an inspiration to all those who surround him.
Liberty Tax – Spirit of Community Award
Liberty Tax has been very generous in supporting Paint Pittston Pink, both financially and via good deeds with no questions asked.
“Without Liberty Tax, there likely would not be Paint Pittston Pink,” Barbara Sciandra, co-founder of PPP, said of the tax service. “It’s true that one person’s actions affect so many others. I, personally, will be eternally grateful for all that you’ve done to assist my family, our organization and me. Your family is truly the best and deserves to be recognized.”
